Tylers Cardiology Appt

Tyler had his 6 month cardiology check-up and did GREAT which was no surprise to us. He has been super busy and active keeping up with his brother that I assumed everything was going well. He has a leaky valve that they continue to monitor. His sats were in the mid 90's which is good for him. He loved eating his cotton candy and watching Nemo during his echo and was so good during his EKG. He has gotten to be such a big boy. He lays down, assumes the position to have his echo and watches his movie to his hearts content. He doesn't mind it one bit and I got to sit in a chair in a dark room and enjoy some R&R. Scott was at joy school and Kira was quiet as could be sleeping away. I love that Tyler is so good at the doctors. We are so blessed to have an excellent Cardiologist, Dr. Cooper, Dr. Hahn, Tylers pediatrician, Nurse Ann who takes such good care of us Nancy, a great tech and Heather, a fabulous nurses asst. They are always so friendly, make us feel so loved and like we are in such good hands. I really feel so blessed for the care we recieve at Kaiser. And it doesn't hurt that for $30 we got an EKG, Echo and Cardiologist visit.

As far as future plans go. Tyler weighs 26 pounds and needs to be at least 30 pounds until his fontan. 4 more pounds so we will try avocado galore. Every doctor has a differing opinion on the timing of a fontan. Some prefer to do it earlier rather than later to get it done, increase their heart function and decrease the chance of stroke or heart attack. Others wait thinking that the fontan will be more successful and to ensure the heart is big enough to handle the change. They attach the Inferior Vena Cava to the pulmonary circulation so his lower body is oxygenated better. I bet he gets the surgery when he is late 3's or 4. Just a guess. That is by far going to be a hard surgery. He will be so much more aware of things than when he was a baby, but at the same time it will close the waiting game chapter in our life. His major palliative surgeries will be done hopefully until he gets a transplant someday. These heart kids are amazing. It is exciting to think of the advancements in medicine that might occur from now until than.

So we will wait patiently. Life is pretty easy right now. Tyler is living a pretty normal life. As normal as it could be. The only restriction he has is that he doesn't go to high altitude. Even with that it simply to not take the chance of feeling sick or not being able to handle it. That is easy and only affects us about once a year when we visit Danny's family. We probably would head out to Utah more if it weren't for that, but it is what it is. I am in no hurry to do the fontan as long as he is feeling and doing well. His heart has pretty much become a non-issue. He likes being carried or pushed if we go long ways or climb stairs, but that might just be a normal 2 year old thing as well.

I feel so blessed for Tyler and his health. I recognize there are so many little ones with his condition who are not as fortunate. When I think of parents who terminate these little ones I just wish they could step into my shoes for a week and recognize what a child like Tyler can bring into your life and teach you.